My Opinion
Trial provides chance for discussion

As I watched our fearless representatives cast their votes on impeachment, I thought to myself, “What significance does this really have?”

Were there any surprises with the vote? Did a massive wave of Republicans suddenly see the light and realize how ridiculous this whole thing is, finally listen to the public and vote against impeachment? No.

The vote turned out just as expected -- neatly along party lines. The House could have cast the vote about a year ago and it would have been the same. The hearings were a complete waste of time and money. And the Starr Report just added more porn to the Internet.

Before the hearing began in the House I have to admit I was a excited that something as historic and monumental as the impeachment of the president would occur in my lifetime, and I would be able to witness the entire thing. I could see the constitution being implemented as the founding fathers had intended and observe true Democracy in action.

It is now, however, obvious things did not turn out as I had hoped. Partisanship reared its ugly head in the House and it's threatening reappearance in the Senate. But, the Senate now has the chance to redeem democracy. With the responsibility of deciding the fate of the president, the Senate must not allow party loyalty and personal feelings get in the way of impartial justice.

The ultimate goal of the trial is to find the truth, or at least it should be. That is why is it essential that witnesses are called to testify. Some senators don't want witnesses to be called because the testimonies may compromise the dignity of the Senate. Sorry, but since this scandal began, the dignity of the entire country has been thoroughly compromised and it's too late to save the Senate. It is unnecessary for Monica Lewinsky to go into detail of the sordid affair with the president. We wouldn't want to make the "Ol' Boys Club of the Senate" blush, now would we?

It is obvious that witnesses can only benefit each side of the case. Through questioning and cross-examination of witnesses, maybe the American people will finally know who's telling the truth in this case and who isn't.

The public wants the Senate to move along with the trial efficiently and get it over as soon as possible. That's a good idea -- the entire scandal has lasted too long, spent too much of taxpayers' money and needs to end as soon as possible. But this is not the time for the Senate to make a hasty decision, not when the fate of the president and the country is at stake.

The Senate should take as much time as it needs to be certain all senators have enough information to make the right decision.

The Senate trial shouldn't be another failing attempt at bipartisanship as was the case in the House impeachment hearing. Instead, senators must put all party ties aside to decide whether or not the president's alleged crimes constitute high crimes and misdemeanors and therefore call for a removal from office. I hope the the trial isn't another insignificant waste of time; we got enough of that in the House.

Before the country can finally put this scandal behind it, we need absolute closure and, most importantly, justice.

I won't go into telling you why censure is the appropriate punishment for the president because I've already shared enough of my views about the impeachment. Now I want to know what you think.

History is being made every day before our eyes, and this is probably the most historical event that will take place during our lifetime. This is only the second impeachment trial ever to take place in the Senate.

With such a historical event occurring daily, it is important, now more than ever, for pubic discussion to take place. We may never get another opportunity to discuss an event such as an impeachment trial.

So, what do you think? Do you think the Senate should allow witnesses? Do you want to hear Monica Lewinsky testify? I would like to know, and so would the rest of The Daily Collegian readers. Write a letter to the editor and tell everyone what you think. Respond to what I've stated here in this column. Start a discussion. Allow your printed views in The Daily Collegian to become a lasting document of history.

Public discussion of important issues is essential to the ideals of democracy. Please allow The Daily Collegian Opinions page to become a forum for that discussion. Allow yourself to participate in the forum by writing letters to the editor, applying to be a Collegian columnist or cartoonist. All students and other readers are welcome to submit reader forums or guest columns for publication.

Please e-mail me your letters to the editor, and tell everyone what you think about the impeachment or other issues that are important to you and the rest of the Penn State community.

Don't let this opportunity pass by you, and don't silence your own opinions.